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The NFL is preparing for next week's Super Bowl 50, marking the 50th championship game held first between the NFL and the AFL, then between the merged NFC and AFC. The league has been celebrating this game all season, with the 50 yard lines for 31 teams painted gold throughout the year (the Oakland Raiders were the only team to not make the painting change). The league even changed the tradition of using roman numerals for the Super Bowl so that this year would be "Super Bowl 50" not "Super Bowl L."
Thursday morning, the league announced the "Super Bowl 50 Golden Team," naming players from every position who had great career performances in the first 49 Super Bowls. The picks were made by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors and consists of one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, two offensive tackles, two guards, one center, two interior defensive linemen, two defensive ends, two inside linebackers, two outside linebackers, two cornerbacks, two safeties, one kicker, one punter, one return specialist, and one head coach.
One Miami Dolphins player made the list for his performances in Super Bowls VI, VII, and VIII. Scott was named the MVP of Super Bowl VII, the game that capped Miami's Perfect Season, with a two-interception performance.
The full Golden Team roster is below. The roster should bring up some good debate, with selections like Joe Montana over Tom Brady or Terry Bradshaw.
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OFFENSE |
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QUARTERBACK (1) |
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TIGHT END (1) |
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Joe Montana |
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Jay Novacek |
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RUNNING BACKS (2) |
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WIDE RECEIVERS (2) |
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Franco Harris |
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Jerry Rice |
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Emmitt Smith |
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Lynn Swann |
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OFFENSIVE TACKLES (2) |
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CENTER (1) |
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Art Shell |
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Mike Webster |
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Forrest Gregg |
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GUARDS (2) |
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HEAD COACH (1) |
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Gene Upshaw |
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Chuck Noll |
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Larry Allen |
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DEFENSE |
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DEFENSIVE ENDS (2) |
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INTERIOR LINEMEN (2) |
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Reggie White |
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Joe Greene |
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Charles Haley |
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Randy White |
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CORNERBACKS (2) |
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SAFETIES (2) |
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Mel Blount |
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Ronnie Lott |
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Deion Sanders |
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Jake Scott |
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OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (2) |
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INSIDE LINEBACKERS (2) |
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Lawrence Taylor |
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Jack Lambert |
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Jack Ham |
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Ray Lewis |
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SPECIALISTS |
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KICKER (1) |
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RETURN SPECIALIST (1) |
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Adam Vinatieri |
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Desmond Howard |
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PUNTER (1) |
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Ray Guy |
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